"Sowing Seeds of Equality: Cultivating Women's Land Ownership and Inheritance Rights in Cameroon and Beyond"

Empowering Young Female Agripreneurs: Breaking Barriers in Land Ownership

Newsletter Issue: July 2023

Dear readers,

Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter, Do you know in most parts of Cameroon and Africa women are not allowed to own or inherit lands. I will shed light on an issue that affects the growth and prosperity of young female Agripreneurs in Cameroon and across Africa. Today, I will discuss the challenges faced by women in land ownership and inheritance, and how it hampers the progress of aspiring women in the agricultural sector.

Understanding the Women in Land Ownership:

I will tell you a story .There was a day I had a discussion with a friend, So I asked him how many children He would love to have, He said 4 children, 3 boys 1 girl, So I asked what if God blessed you with 4 girls, He got so angry and asked me what he will be doing with 4 girls. He asked me who will inherit his properties, the land his father left. He went ahead to explain to me that a woman will have to get married and when that happens ,The family name will be lost and the properties will be owned by the husband .

So asked him these questions, What if you never get to have a child, what happens to the properties.What if you only get to have just female children who then inherits your properties. I feel sad because He was just 26 years old and already he has this mindset and in my research He is not alone.

The Cultural and Legal Landscape

In Cameroon, the legal framework surrounding land ownership for women has evolved over time to promote gender equality and protect women's rights. Here are some key provisions in Cameroon's laws related to land ownership for women:

1. Constitutional Protection: The 1996 Constitution of Cameroon guarantees equality between men and women. It prohibits discrimination based on gender and affirms women's rights to own, use, and inherit property, including land.
2. Family Code: The Cameroonian Family Code, revised in 2005, grants women the right to own and inherit property, including land. It recognizes the equal rights of both spouses in managing and disposing of property acquired during the marriage.
3. Land Tenure and Land Reform Laws: Cameroon has enacted various laws and reforms to address land tenure and promote gender equality. The 1974 Land Tenure Law recognizes the rights of women to own and inherit land, and subsequent reforms have further reinforced these rights. The Land Reform Law of 1975 recognizes the rights of women to own and dispose of land.
4. National Gender Policy: The National Gender Policy of Cameroon, adopted in 2007, aims to promote gender equality and empower women in various areas, including land ownership. It encourages the elimination of discriminatory customary practices that hinder women's land rights and emphasizes the importance of legal protection for women's land ownership and inheritance.
5. Rural Land Tenure Security Program: The Cameroonian government, with support from international partners, has implemented the Rural Land Tenure Security Program. This program seeks to strengthen land governance, protect women's land rights, and ensure equitable access to land for rural communities, including women.

Despite these legal provisions, challenges persist in effectively implementing and enforcing these laws, particularly in rural areas where customary practices often prevail

In many cultures and regions, including parts of Africa, deeply entrenched cultural norms and government laws hinder women's access to land ownership and inheritance. These barriers are rooted in gender inequalities, discriminatory practices, and customary laws that favor male heirs. As a result, women are often denied the right to own or inherit land, limiting their ability to engage in agriculture and entrepreneurship.

Implications for Young Female Agripreneurs

The impact of restricted land ownership and inheritance rights on young female Agripreneurs is profound. Here are a few key challenges they face:

1. Limited access to resources: Imagine a continent of about 600 million hectares of Arable Land but the first thing a Woman thinks of is how she will get land, this is absurd. Land is a critical resource for agricultural activities, serving as a foundation for farming, investment, and long-term planning. Without secure land ownership, young female Agripreneurs struggle to access loans, credit, and government support programs that require collateral.
2. Restricted decision-making power: It’s said the wisdom of the poor is despised. Owning land provides individuals with decision-making authority over its use and allocation. Without land ownership rights, young women are often excluded from participating in important agricultural decisions, limiting their ability to shape their businesses and contribute to sustainable farming practices.
3. Lack of economic independence: The main economic activity in Cameroon and Africa is Agriculture with over 70% of the population engaged in Farming. Land ownership and inheritance can be a pathway to economic independence. When young women are unable to inherit or own land, they become economically dependent on male relatives, hindering their ability to invest, expand their businesses, or pursue other entrepreneurial opportunities.
4. Gender-based violence and vulnerability: In most countries in Africa there are laws protecting women but the challenge is usually in the implementation or enforcing the laws. The absence of legal protection for women's land rights contributes to their vulnerability. Land disputes, evictions, and encroachments by others are prevalent, often leaving women without recourse to defend their rights. This situation can expose them to various forms of gender-based violence and exploitation.

Addressing the Challenges

While the challenges are significant, progress is being made to empower young female Agripreneurs and promote gender equality in land ownership and inheritance. Here are some initiatives that are making a difference:

1. Legal reforms: Advocacy efforts and legal reforms are underway to promote gender equality and address discriminatory laws. In countries like Cameroon, efforts are being made to enact laws that protect women's land rights and promote equal inheritance. Today we have a gender desk at the police that handle these issues .It’s a step in the right direction.
2. Capacity building and education: Organizations and NGOs like Sustain Afric are providing training, mentorship, and financial literacy programs to empower young women with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the agricultural sector successfully. These initiatives equip them with the tools to assert their rights and overcome the barriers they face. Though these organizations are largely underfunded and lack the resources to go to remote areas.
3. Community engagement: Charity begins at home, If we can talk to our fathers, brothers about these issues it will go a long way. Engaging with communities and challenging deep-rooted cultural norms is crucial. Promoting dialogue, awareness campaigns, and sensitization programs that emphasize the value of gender equality can help change attitudes and behaviors towards women's land ownership and inheritance.
4. Collaboration and support networks: Encouraging collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and Agripreneurs can facilitate the creation of support networks, platforms for knowledge sharing, and access to resources. These networks can offer mentorship, access to financing, and advocacy for gender-responsive policies.

CONCLUSION

We should always have in mind that we didn’t choose our gender, so we should not treat people different based on their gender .Promoting gender equality in land ownership and inheritance is not only a matter of justice but also a pathway to sustainable development. Empowering young female Agripreneurs by ensuring their access to land and property rights will contribute to poverty reduction, food security, and economic growth

Njieforti Princewill Gana

Agricultural Consultant/Development Professional

#foodsecurity #women #womenentrepreneurs #womeninagriculture #genderequality #agribusiness